Exact Wave Propagation in a Spacetime with a Cosmic String

We present exact solutions of the massless Klein-Gordon equation in a spacetime in which an infinite straight cosmic string resides. The first solution represents a plane wave entering perpendicular to the string direction. We also present and analyze a solution with a static point-like source. In the short wavelength limit these solutions approach the results obtained by using the geometrical optics approximation: magnification occurs if the observer lies in front of the string within a strip of angular width $8\pi G\mu$, where $\mu$ is the string tension. We find that when the distance from the observer to the string is less than $10^{-3} {(G \mu)}^{-2}\lambda \sim 150 {\rm Mpc} (\lambda/{\rm AU}) (G\mu/10^{-8})^{-2}$, where $\lambda$ is the wave length, the magnification is significantly reduced compared with the estimate based on the geometrical optics due to the diffraction effect. For gravitational waves from neutron star(NS)-NS mergers the several lensing events per year may be detected by DECIGO/BBO.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures, reference adde

Cosmological Black Holes

In this paper we propose a model for the formation of the cosmological voids. We show that cosmological voids can form directly after the collapse of extremely large wavelength perturbations into low-density black holes or cosmological black holes (CBH). Consequently the voids are formed by the comoving expansion of the matter that surrounds the collapsed perturbation. It follows that the universe evolves, in first approximation, according to the Einstein-Straus cosmological model. We discuss finally the possibility to detect the presence of these black holes through their weak and strong lensing effects and their influence on the cosmic background radiation.Comment: 14 pages, new completely revised version, to appear on GR

On the possible sources of gravitational wave bursts detectable today

We discuss the possibility that galactic gravitational wave sources might give burst signals at a rate of several events per year, detectable by state-of-the-art detectors. We are stimulated by the results of the data collected by the EXPLORER and NAUTILUS bar detectors in the 2001 run, which suggest an excess of coincidences between the two detectors, when the resonant bars are orthogonal to the galactic plane. Signals due to the coalescence of galactic compact binaries fulfill the energy requirements but are problematic for lack of known candidates with the necessary merging rate. We examine the limits imposed by galactic dynamics on the mass loss of the Galaxy due to GW emission, and we use them to put constraints also on the GW radiation from exotic objects, like binaries made of primordial black holes. We discuss the possibility that the events are due to GW bursts coming repeatedly from a single or a few compact sources. We examine different possible realizations of this idea, such as accreting neutron stars, strange quark stars, and the highly magnetized neutron stars (``magnetars'') introduced to explain Soft Gamma Repeaters. Various possibilities are excluded or appear very unlikely, while others at present cannot be excluded.Comment: 24 pages, 20 figure